If you’re a small business owner, and you want to stay competitive in your industry, you’ll need to begin accepting credit card payments if you’re not already. With your interest in merchant services, you’ll know that accepting credit card processing payments is essential to growing your business exponentially. Having a cash-only sign at your business can have many potential customers heading for the door. This means having a contactless, easy-to-use, credit card processor and payment processing solution is mandatory.
Accept digital wallets
Consumer trends have changed significantly over the last few years. For instance, in 2020 alone, 92% of all mobile wallet payment transactions were completed with Apple Pay. Apple Pay for business is a contactless mobile payment system that allows customers to make payments using an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. According to the same Apple Pay statistics, these transactions account for 5% of all card transactions in the world, and this number is set to increase by 10% in 2025. To compete in this market, it’s time to update your terminals.
And here’s a little industry secret: terminals are not made of gold. In fact, terminals usually retail for around $300. But many people pay hundreds of dollars a month against a multi-year terminal lease.
Avoid crippling terminal leases
This is maybe the most crippling and underhanded scam used by processing reps. The victims are often small and medium-sized companies, the hardest hit business owners in this unstable economy. The list of merchant complaints stemming directly from leasing is staggering.
By the rep inflating the cost of the equipment, it seems perfectly reasonable to enter a long-term lease. These leases are usually impossible to cancel and are not lease to own.
Merchants feel it’s the only option because the money to buy isn’t available immediately. And there just aren’t enough hours in the day to conduct a thorough investigation that involves careful reviews and research of the equipment. The easiest rule of thumb is if a company doesn’t provide the option of a free terminal, it’s best to just end the conversation there. Another way to avoid paying hidden transaction fees is to select a credit card processor that charges you a fixed or flat rate. Flat rate credit card processing is a set rate that business owners pay each month, regardless of the type of card or transaction method used. The trick is to always be sure you’re reading the fine print before entering the agreement. And if you’re unsure, feel free to give us a call. We will be more than happy to look over your credit card statement with you for free.
Sekure’s custom solution
At Sekure Payment Experts, we have the resources available to give you the equipment you need at no cost. Anyone who is actually interested in your business and the well-being of your finances will provide you with free equipment as a loaner. It’s a small but realistic investment in your business.
If your business is mostly manual entry, and you are keying instead of swiping, consider a virtual terminal. Sekure is a direct reseller for Authorize.net, a widely used online payment tool that works with most payment processing companies. This means better customer service, monthly costs, and per-transaction fees.
A virtual terminal is basically just a website. You go to the site, log in and enter the credit card information. It gives you an authorization code, and you’re done. You can set up recurring billing and customer profiles for regular clients. The added option of being able to review the past two years of transactions in depth is great as well. For wholesalers, manufacturers, and web-based companies this is definitely the most practical solution.
Conclusion
Knowledge of the basics is half the battle, and the rest is putting that information to good use. We believe every business is unique, and that’s why we offer a custom payment processing solution to all our merchants. Your credit card processing rates shouldn’t be confusing. A brokered quote from a company that is genuinely interested in the financial success of your business and can prove it is definitely the way to go. Give us a call, we’re happy to answer any questions you might have.
